Chapter 20: Exposure

In the study of the Prime Minister's Mansion.

Throughout the entire night, Xue Cen knelt on the cold, hard floor, facing his grandfather, Prime Minister Xue, whose temples were frosted but maintained a dignified presence. Xue Cen repeated the same words, "Grandfather, your grandson wishes to marry Miss Yu as his wife."

Prime Minister Xue, with his hands overlapping on the smooth purple sandalwood cane, his beard moving slightly, remained silent. 

Xue's father, standing beside them, asked in a deep voice, "Explain yourself. Which Miss Yu from the Yu family do you want to marry?"

"Miss Yu'er, the second sister," Xue Cen clarified.

Xue's father couldn't help but be furious. Both families had silently agreed to Xue Cen's marriage to Yu Xinyi, but he insisted on pursuing another girl, Miss Yu'er.

"Rebellious child!" Xue's father raised his hand towards his son.

"Hold on," Prime Minister Xue spoke, and just two words halted the raised hand in mid-air.

Xue's father withdrew his hand, bowing respectfully, "Yes, father."

The elderly man, with white hair and dignified demeanor, supported himself with the glossy cane as he stood up. Despite his age, he maintained an upright posture, exuding the authority and nobility acquired through years of political immersion.

Looking at his cherished grandson, he slowly exhaled a breath, "If you want to marry Miss Yu'er, it's not impossible."

"Grandfather," Xue Cen immediately looked up, a hint of joy in his slightly reddened eyes.

"But remember, as a subject, loyalty and righteousness must not be lost," Prime Minister Xue looked at Xue Cen with his deep, sharp eyes, using the hoarse voice characteristic of the elderly, "If you marry her, you owe a favor to the Crown Prince."

Grandfather had something in mind. Xue Cen asked, "Do you mean..."

"General Yu is the head of the military, holding considerable power, yet he has never sworn allegiance to the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace."

Pausing, Prime Minister Xue turned around, looking at the words "Loyalty, Benevolence, Honor" bestowed on the beams of the study, "In recent years, there have been rumors of favoring the younger over the elder in the court. After marrying into the Yu family, you need to spare no effort to unite the two families and assist the Crown Prince."

Upon hearing this, Xue Cen was stunned.

Despite his intelligence, he couldn't ignore that his grandfather was urging him to use the marriage with Yu Lingxi to pull the Yu family into the Crown Prince's camp. People always thought that Grandfather, as the head of the civil officials, was strict and indifferent, never involved in factional struggles. It seemed that the reality was different.

This was a well-calculated marriage for mutual benefit. Whether it was Xue's family or the Crown Prince, both aimed to bring the power of the General's Mansion under the control of the Crown Prince.

"Grandfather, is it for the Crown Prince's faction?" Xue Cen asked with difficulty.

"It can be said, and it can also be said not," Prime Minister Xue said, "Strictly speaking, I am a member of the faction upholding the orthodox rule of the country, respecting rituals, morals, and principles. The Crown Prince is the Emperor's legitimate eldest son and the future ruler; it is only right to be loyal and supportive."

"But..." Xue Cen recalled Yu Lingxi's gentle rejection from yesterday, and he clenched his fingers.

Looking at this promising younger generation, Prime Minister Xue spoke with emphasis, "Think carefully. If you can do it, I will agree to your marriage with Miss Yu'er."

Fifteen minutes later.

The weather changed, and the gloomy wind brought a hint of cold. Xue Cen pushed away the support of his attendants, endured the pain in his knees, and walked back to his room with a heavy heart.

Yu Lingxi was so filial and kind. If she knew that his marriage would implicate their father and brothers, entangling them in a camp not recognized by the Yu family, she would surely disagree even more with this marriage.

He didn't want to take advantage of her vulnerability, didn't want to hide anything from her, but there was no other way. There was no time for him to hesitate; he couldn't simply let the girl he admired marry into the Eastern Palace.

Xue Cen was willing to be despicable just this once, at least...

At least, his feelings were mutual with this second sister. As long as he could marry her, as long as he could resolve the current crisis, the rest could be discussed slowly. A lifetime is so long; there will always be a solution that satisfies everyone.

With this in mind, Xue Cen's thoughts became firmer. He quickly wrote a letter, inviting Yu Lingxi to meet at the Qin Xin Pavilion by the Oulian Pond north of the city at rooster hour.

After folding the letter, he summoned a servant, saying, "Take this letter and deliver it to Miss Yu'er at the General's Mansion quickly!"

...

The sky was overcast, and the wind swept away the remaining red leaves from the branches.

Ning Yin had a dream.

For the first time, he didn't dream of slaughter and blood, but a misty water vapor, with ripples breaking the warm light in a pond. In the curve of his arm was a slender woman with black hair like a demon, pressed against the edge of the pool, kissed and claimed by him.

Her almond eyes shimmered, biting hard, and a pitiful moan escaped between her lips and teeth.

The soft and tender arm wrapped around his neck, wet and slender, softly called out, "Lord..."

As a punishment, he bit down, licking away a bead of bright red blood. In the pool, his cold and dangerous voice echoed, "Here, what should you call me?"

"Wei... Wei Qi."

The sound of water rippled, and the mist in the pool scattered like ripples, revealing a familiar, charming face like flowers and jade.

Ning Yin woke up from the shallow dream, slowly opening his eyes.

In the secret passage beneath the Zen room of the Golden Cloud Temple, two ghostly candles flickered. He propped his temple with his fingers, not quite understanding why he dreamt of Yu Lingxi and why he forced her to call him that ridiculous nickname.

Opening his palm, he placed his fingertips near his nose and lightly sniffed. The gentle and seductive fragrance of the girl in the dream still seemed to linger on his fingertips, carrying the soft and moist touch of the skin...

For a moment, Ning Yin even felt that the union of men and women might not be a dirty and unbearable thing.

Just for a moment, this thought ripples away, replaced by a deeper and more intense gloominess. Since hearing about the engagement between Yu Lingxi and Xue Cen yesterday, this gloominess had surged in his heart. The harmonious scene of their affection under the sunlight gave him a headache all night.

"Your Highness, spare me!" A woman's miserable scream brought his thoughts back.

Ning Yin raised his eyelids, and a disheveled woman was crawling on the dim and damp ground.

The neatly tailored palace dress vaguely revealed that she was a high-ranking court lady in the imperial city.

She had no visible injuries, but she lacked the strength to stand up. Cold sweat covered her pale face, making her look as if she had been pulled out of the water.

With a bandaged left hand holding a broken weapon, she stood in silence as if she didn't see the scene.

On the side, there were four or five nervous subordinates standing.

The high-ranking court lady desperately kowtowed, as if this could prolong her life. She pleaded, "Considering the years I served the Noble Consort and Your Highness, spare me, please!"

Ning Yin waited until the traitorous court lady finished kowtowing before showing a faint smile. He asked lightly, "When Lady Qing betrayed my whereabouts to my elder brother, putting me in a life-threatening situation, did she ever think about those years of camaraderie?"

"I dare not. Truly, I dare not!" The court lady named Qing never expected Ning Yin to survive the hands of Ning Changrui and retaliate against her entire family. She stammered, "As long as Your Highness spares my life, I am willing to do anything..."

"Anything?" Ning Yin sneered, seemingly weighing the significance of those words.

Seizing a glimmer of hope, Qing nodded vigorously, saying, "Please give me a chance to redeem my merits, Your Highness."

Playing with a short blade between his fingers, Ning Yin half-squinted his eyes, as if calculating something.

"Alright." After a while, he agreed nonchalantly.

Lifting his chin slightly, the court lady immediately crawled to his feet, seeking his favor.

With a cool and thin smile, Ning Yin looked down at the woman at his feet. "I want you to love me."

Just like how Yu Lingxi loved Xue Cen.

As soon as this statement was made, the subordinates in the room were all stunned, unable to guess their master's intentions.

Qing was even more frightened, not understanding the meaning behind the Seventh Prince's words. Since birth, Ning Yin had endured his father's indifference, the oppression of his siblings, and even his birth mother, the Noble Consort, held a strong aversion towards him.

He was stubborn, ruthless, adept at disguises, and his brief life was filled with darkness and distortion. No one loved him.

Qing feared him, and she had no idea how to love him. But if she wanted to survive, she could only grit her teeth and extend her hand, tremblingly reaching for the hem of his clothes.

To please... was that love?

All the women in the palace did it.

As soon as those pale, worm-like hands touched the leather boots, Ning Yin's gaze suddenly turned cold.

"Not like this," he said coldly.

Yu Lingxi's hands were warm, and even in fear, her eyes remained clear and clean, with a shimmering light when she looked at him. It was nothing like the false and vulgar gaze of the woman in front of him, her eyes muddled and devoid of any brilliance.

Only Yu Lingxi could, only she had those eyes as clear as autumn water.

Ning Yin finally understood this.

"Ah!"

Just as the court lady named Qing touched the hem of his clothes, she was overturned on the ground, looking at the sudden change in the young man's demeanor with disbelief.

"You are too dirty," his pale lips uttered cold words.

"Your Highness, I can do it," Qing's pupils trembled, shivering as she pleaded, "Please give this servant another chance..."

"Hush," Ning Yin raised his slender fingers, signaling the woman to be silent.

"You should be grateful that I don't kill women," he said.

Qing was stunned, then a glimmer of hope burst into her eyes. Just when she thought she had escaped, Ning Yin leaned back in his chair and suddenly burst into laughter. He laughed with chest vibrations but didn't seem vulgar. Instead, an elegant mockery, as if mocking the absurdity of life, permeated his laughter. He asked lightly, "Did you think I would say that?"

The fluctuating tone of his voice shattered the joy in Qing's eyes, leaving them dull.

She knew she wouldn't survive. In her dying, desolate eyes, there burned an overwhelming resentment.

"No one will love you, Your Highness," Qing's voice, both crying and laughing, sounded like the world's most malicious curse.

She exclaimed, "You can only be abandoned, betrayed, because you are a terrifying evil spirit..."

The cursing abruptly stopped.

No one saw Ning Yin's movement clearly. Qing widened her eyes, her body falling limp to the ground, lifeless.

Ning Yin calmly twirled the blade between his fingers, surveying the few remaining subordinates in the room. Suppressing his smile, he said, "Anyone who was swayed by Qing and betrayed me, step forward, and I might spare your life."

Two of them changed their expressions, exchanged glances, and simultaneously rushed towards Ning Yin. They had witnessed Qing's death, and it was strange that the Seventh Prince would really spare their lives. It was better to seize this slim chance!

But as they took a step, they suddenly felt a chill in their chests. Two bloodied short blades emerged from their front, pinning them to the stone wall of the secret chamber. They didn't even have time to scream before becoming two silent corpses.

Ning Yin wiped his fingers and turned around. The other two subordinates, immediately knelt down, sweating profusely. They said, "We pledge to follow Your Highness to the death and assist Your Highness in achieving your great ambitions!"

"Get up. If you have done nothing wrong, why kneel?" Ning Yin slowly wiped his fingers, saying, "Whether it's a great ambition or not, as long as you don't cause trouble, it doesn't matter."

A pool of viscous crimson flowed down the steps, and he frowned. He carefully stepped over it, moving on the stone steps.

"Your Highness," carrying a heavy sword, the one named Zheji followed behind him, reminding in a deep voice, "There are rumors in the capital that Miss Yu, during the spring search, was trapped on a cliff for a day and night, having an affair with a... servant. Should I intervene to suppress and eliminate this rumor?"

"Why suppress it?" The young man revealed a light and cheerful smile, asking in return, "Isn't it better this way?"

Zheji's eyes showed surprise.

He originally thought his master could take action with the help of this marriage, but now it seemed that he wanted to personally marry that woman...

The dying words of Qing lingered in Zheji's ears.

He couldn't decide whether to sympathize with Miss Yu from the Yu family or worry for his master. He chose to remain silent. 

Stepping out of the secret chamber, a light drizzle landed on his cheeks. Ning Yin stopped and looked up at the gloomy and narrow sky.

"It's raining," he muttered to himself.

…

The Yu Mansion.

Yu Lingxi held a scroll in her hand, leaning against the couch, gazing absentmindedly at the rain outside. "Why is it suddenly raining?"

"The weather at the end of spring is always unpredictable. What's so surprising about rain?" Hutao placed refreshments on the table, walked over to close the window, and, seeing no one around, squatted in front of Yu Lingxi, smiling. "Miss, will you still come back often after getting married? Or perhaps, take this servant with you? This servant can't bear to part with you."

"What are you saying?" Yu Lingxi didn't lift her eyes, adding two spoonfuls of pepper into the tea pot. "Marry whom?"

"Xue Erlang! It's rare to have mutual affection; who else would you marry if not him?"

"Nothing is decided. Don't talk nonsense." Yu Lingxi put the teacup back, unable to eat her favorite pepper due to her troubled mind.

Yesterday, to refuse the marriage proposal from the Eastern Palace, Xue Cen knelt in front of his father and mother, pleading for the marriage. Yu Lingxi felt she should be happy because everyone thought they were a perfect match. However, despite being touched, she couldn't find joy. Her heart remained as calm as a mirror, unable to evoke the innocent emotions of her past life.

Yesterday, in the courtyard, Xue Cen blushed as he sought her opinion.

She tried to convince herself, but after thinking for a long time, she smiled and shook her head, "Brother Cen is very good, but I haven't thought about getting married."

At that moment, Xue Cen's eyes were more surprised than disappointed, probably not expecting her refusal. Soon, he understood something, smiled warmly, and said, "Little sister is still young, not considering marriage is normal. It's fine; we can adapt slowly, as long as we can overcome the current crisis."

Yu Lingxi pondered all night. Perhaps she could marry Xue Cen and lead a peaceful life, but it wouldn't be fair to him if her feelings weren't reciprocated.

When love is uneven, it becomes a disaster.

Anyone could be deceived, but she couldn't deceive Xue Cen, who knelt for her twice in this life and the previous one. She couldn't betray her own conscience.

"If Miss doesn't marry Xue Erlang, do you really plan to enter the palace as the Crown Prince's consort?" Hutao pouted, although being the Crown Prince's consort was honorable, it was tiring to compete with three thousand beauties for favor!

Unlike Xue Erlang, who only had eyes for her.

Hearing this, Yu Lingxi thought seriously for a moment. Assuming she did marry into the Eastern Palace, what were the chances of surviving when Ning Yin returned to the palace seeking revenge? However, she couldn't calculate.

Ning Yin's temperament was like a dangerous puzzle.

Just as she was contemplating, a servant handed her an invitation, saying, "Miss, Miss Tang from the Qingping Mansion invites you for a meeting, mentioning important matters to discuss."

Yu Lingxi took the invitation, opened it, and gently frowned. Then, realizing something, she relaxed her brow and smiled.

Tang Buli's letter is filled with a powerful penmanship that reveals the writer's anger. Tang Buli stated that there are rumors circulating among the noble ladies in the capital, claiming that Miss Yu'er was in danger during the spring hunt and lost her virtue to a young servant boy...

Since this rumor originated from the circle of noble ladies, it is likely that the female relatives present at the time created the gossip. Such baseless rumors are often spread by women who want to marry into the Eastern Palace and become a royal, or perhaps by an admirer of Xue Cen.

However, this might be a good opportunity.

Yu Lingxi closed the letter and said calmly, "Prepare the carriage. We are going to the Qingping Mansion."

Just as she stepped out, she saw someone walking towards her through the drizzling rain. Ning Yin had returned from somewhere, without an umbrella, and his clothes and hair were soaked. His handsome face appeared slightly pale due to the rain.

Yu Lingxi's heart stirred. She took the umbrella from a maid and approached Ning Yin.

"Where have you been?" She stopped in front of the young man, maintaining a distance through the misty rain.

"Drinking." Ning Yin replied.

Yu Lingxi wrinkled her nose.

Indeed, there was a faint scent of alcohol in the damp air, but there was also a familiar smell of decay, hidden beneath the alcohol, like the scent of an ancient cellar.

"Why drink in heavy rain?" Yu Lingxi frowned, extended her arm, and considerately handed over the umbrella.

However, looking down and seeing him wearing the deer-hide boots she gifted, she found solace in her heart and couldn't help but draw a shallow smile.

"Not in the mood."

Ning Yin didn't take the umbrella, remained silent for a moment, then spoke softly, "Young General Huanchen once said that my presence in the mansion would tarnish Miss's reputation."

Standing in the misty rain, Ning Yin's dark eyes resembled those of a sincere student earnestly seeking advice, "Miss, do you also feel that my lowly status is a disgrace to you?"

This question was quite absurd.

Yu Lingxi looked at him suspiciously, thought carefully for a moment, and then shook her head, "No, if I cared about such things, I wouldn't have gone through the trouble of finding you in the middle of the night."

Ning Yin still looked at her, asking, "Then, Miss, would you betray me, abandon me?"

What kind of question was this?

If there was talk of betrayal, she should be asking him if he would betray her, right?

Yu Lingxi looked at him with a puzzled expression, pondered carefully, and then shook her head, "No, since I brought you back, you are my responsibility."

After all, she would rely on this favor in the future to make him the greatest protection for the Yu family. Ning Yin smiled, and it was unclear what he found amusing. He nodded, saying, "Good, Wei Qi understands."

Understand what?

Before she could figure out the meaning of this eccentric statement, Yu Lingxi, eager to reach the Qingping Mansion, handed the umbrella to Ning Yin and urged, "Take it, go back and change your clothes."

Saying this, she turned around and quickly boarded the carriage.

Ning Yin stood in place with the paper umbrella, watching her carriage disappear on the main road, and the smile in his eyes gradually settled.

A stranger walked past him, a servant who hurriedly approached and handed over a letter he had held against his chest. He announced, "This is a personal letter from Sir Xue'er, and it's important. Please be sure to deliver it to Miss of your noble house."

But Yu Lingxi had just left the mansion.

The guard took the letter and placed it on Yu Lingxi's desk, intending for her to read it upon her return. As soon as the maid closed the door and left, a person emerged from the corner, took the letter, and disappeared into the shadows.

...

In the Eastern Palace, a storm raged. Crown Prince Ning Tan overturned a table full of delicacies, smashed two cups, and angrily said, "Who said she has an engagement with Xue Cen? Why have I never heard of it?"

An undercover guard reported, "According to my investigation, the Xue and Yu families do have an engagement."

Ning Tan felt even more frustrated. Yu Lingxi could have an engagement with anyone; why did it have to be someone from the Xue family? Xue Lao Ye openly stayed out of factional struggles, but secretly, he was the biggest support for the Eastern Palace. Even for Xue Cen's grandfather's sake, Ning Tan couldn't openly compete for his son's fiancée.

Ning Tan had already inquired. Miss Yu, the second daughter of the Yu family, was indeed a rare beauty in the capital. There was no woman he couldn't get, but such a little beauty was going to marry Xue Cen!

The more he thought about it, the more unwilling he became. He even thought maliciously, wishing that Xue Cen would disappear from this world...

The restless pacing came to a halt. Ning Tan muttered to himself, "Yes, as long as Xue'er disappears, this marriage will naturally be void."

The undercover guard was surprised and quickly advised, "Your Highness, we cannot touch the Xue family..."

"As long as we are discreet and create some accidents to deceive the Prime Minister, no one will know," interrupted Ning Tan.

Driven by jealousy, he threw the crumpled letter at the undercover guard and angrily ordered, "Go!"

...

The rain grew heavier. Yu Lingxi decided to wait at the Qingping Mansion until the rain stopped before returning to the Yu Mansion.

As the rooster crowed, the deep blue dusk gradually enveloped the surroundings. A waning crescent moon hung in the eastern sky, raindrops accumulated on the roof tiles, and scattered rainwater created a cool gleam.

After returning to her room and changing into dry clothes, Yu Lingxi sat on the bed to rest. A maid entered and said, "Miss, at noon, Xue Cen's servant boy delivered an urgent letter, claiming it was of great importance. I placed it on the desk for you... Huh, where's the letter?"

The maid's voice stopped abruptly. She moved the brushes, inkstones, and books on the desk one by one, showing surprise, "I clearly placed it here."

Yu Lingxi pondered for a moment and speculated that Xue Cen must be seeking her for something important. This matter required prompt resolution, as delaying it would be unfavorable for both the Yu and Xue families.

"If it's urgent, I'll personally pay a visit," she decided.

Yu Lingxi adjusted her appearance in the mirror, finding nothing inappropriate. She then spoke softly, "Prepare a carriage and invitation, we're going to the Xue Mansion."

The journey to the Xue residence was not smooth. What should have been a journey of two quarters of an hour was delayed by beggars blocking the way and vendors' carts overturning, creating obstacles.

Having wasted enough time, Yu Lingxi decided to abandon the carriage and continue on foot. Finally reaching the Xue residence, the servants who came to welcome her were surprised. One of them asked, "Why is Miss here? Wasn't our Young Master supposed to meet you at the Qin Xin Pavilion north of the city? He left an hour ago."

Recalling the difficulties on the way to the Xue residence, Yu Lingxi felt a sense of unease for no apparent reason.

At the North City's Oulian Pond, the night wind brushed by, causing raindrops on lotus leaves to swirl and fall into the pond with a clatter, startling two carp swimming freely.

In the dim night, Xue Cen, dressed in luxurious attire, paced in the pavilion with hands behind his back, occasionally glancing towards the end of the plank bridge.

While waiting anxiously, he suddenly heard a deliberately subdued male voice behind him calling, "Xue Erlang."

Xue Cen instinctively turned around, about to ask who the person was, when a dark figure flashed by. The next moment, he felt a pain in his chest. Before he could react, a tremendous force propelled him backward. Wide-eyed, he fell into the cold and deep lotus pond.

With a splash, water splattered in all directions.

On the bank, two men in black looked down and asked, "Can he die like this?"

"You press his head down; don't let him float up," the other whispered.

Fluttering wings sounded, and the two conspirators immediately looked up. They saw a giant bird hovering over the Oulián Pond, resembling a ghastly reaper inspecting the struggling figure of Xue Cen in the water.

"Someone's here?"

"Retreat!"

Afraid of being seen at the scene, the two shadowy figures scattered and fled. Almost simultaneously, a slender figure appeared beneath the Moon Gate in the distance. He raised his arm, and the hovering falcon obediently landed, folding its wings on his arm.

"Help... help me..."

The pond resounded with a splash, shattering the moonlight on the water.

Casually standing with his hands behind his back in the pavilion, Ning Yin watched with interest. The clear light reflected in his eyes as he found a good angle to enjoy the struggling figure of Xue Cen sinking into the pond.

Once Xue Cen died, he would naturally make the old fox Xue suspect the Eastern Palace. By then, there would be no need for him to take action. The internal strife between the two factions, with the prince and his ministers turning against each other, would be quite interesting.

The lake water swallowed life, and ripples distorted the handsome face of the youth.

Despite the scene, he wore an extremely pleased smile on his face, as if witnessing the most wonderful future in the water. After confirming the situation, he didn't linger. As he turned to leave, he suddenly encountered a figure that shouldn't have appeared here.

Yu Lingxi's chest rose and fell, staring at him in shock.

Kindly visit the link below to show your support. Your gesture is highly valued!

https://ko-fi.com/nnm88